When Watford residents hear about a world champion boxer supporting the local community, it tends to be the Watford born-and-bred star Anthony Joshua. However this time, it comes from a professional boxer who has won even more world championships than Joshua - Nonito 'Flash' Donaire.
Watford MP Dean Russell has been friends with Donaire since he went on a charity mission in the Phillipines after Typhoon Haiyan. He recently spoke with Donaire where he explained how many NHS workers at Watford General Hospital are from the Philippines, and how they make up a big part of the front line here in the UK fighting Covid-19.
Donaire, touched by this knowledge, went on to make a personal video thanking both the Filipino workers at Watford General Hospital and all other staff in the NHS.
He said: "my friend Dean told me about the incredible work the Filipino community and all the brave staff are doing at Watford General Hospital and across the NHS in the UK. So I just wanted to say thank you from both of us and God bless. You guys are our superheroes so be safe and take care."
Donaire has held nine world championships across four weight classes and is known as 'The Filipino Flash' due to his exceptionally fast hand speed and overwhelmingly powerful punch.
Watford MP Dean Russell said: "It is so poignant that on International Nurses Day, Nonito would send me this video. All our NHS staff from abroad deserve to be celebrated and this is ever more the case as they serve on our front line. Across our NHS and care homes, so many from the Filipino community work tirelessly to support those in need. I want to take this opportunity to thank them and all the NHS community from overseas."
